658.20  Investigation by department.--

(1)  Upon the filing of an application, the department shall make an investigation of:

(a)  The character, reputation, financial standing, business experience, and business qualifications of the proposed officers and directors.

(b)  The need for bank or trust facilities or additional bank or trust facilities, as the case may be, in the primary service area where the proposed bank or trust company is to be located.

(c)  The ability of the primary service area to support the proposed bank or trust company and all other existing bank or trust facilities in the primary service area.

(2)  The department is authorized to obtain criminal record information from the National Crime Information Center or from the Department of Law Enforcement as a part of its investigation pursuant to this section.

(3)  The department may accept an application for prior approval of individuals who may become directors and executive officers of a failing bank, association, or trust company. Such applications are governed by the application criteria set forth in paragraph (1)(a) and ss. 658.21(4) and 658.28. The application must be in the form and must contain additional information prescribed by the department, and must be accompanied by a nonrefundable, nontransferable filing fee of $7,500.

History.--s. 2, ch. 28016, 1953; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 73-119; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 10, 151, 152, ch. 80-260; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 21, 50, 51, ch. 84-216; ss. 27, 58, ch. 85-82; s. 1, ch. 91-307; ss. 1, 105, ch. 92-303.